European stock indices change a bit

11:00 16.04.2018

On Monday, European stock indices changed a bit and in different directions, as market participants keep evaluating corporate news.

In addition, many traders worry about the possible escalation of the conflict in Syria. At the weekend, the forces of the international coalition delivered air strikes on facilities in this Middle Eastern country. Russia has condemned such actions, but hasn’t taken retaliatory measures yet.

The index of the leading enterprises of the region Stoxx Europe dropped by 0.07% hitting 378.92.

The British FTSE 100 headed south 0.24%. The French CAC 40 inched up by 0.05%, the German DAX lost by 0.12%. At the same time Spanish IBEX 35 and Italian FTSE MIB managed to grow respectively 0.11% and 0.19%.

The shares of Shire Plc soared by 1.1%. The Irish pharmaceutical company, specializing in the treatment of rare diseases, announced the sale of a unit for the development and production of oncological preparations of the French Servier SAS for up to $2.4 billion.

Meanwhile, the capitalization of the world's number one advertising company WPP Plc slumped by 4.3%. The director general of the company, Martin Sorrell, resigned having finished an investigation into allegations against him in connection with abuse of office, waste of company funds as well as improper conduct.

Prior to the appointment of the new CEO, Mr. Sorrell's duties will temporarily move to Roberto Quarte, the chairman of the board of directors of the company.

The price of securities developer Sage Group software declined 3.2% after Friday’s 8.2% sag, when the company steeply reduced its annual revenue estimate.

The value of Whitbread, the owner of the Costa Coffee chain, tacked on 6.6% on reports that Elliott Management had turned to be the owner of more than 6% of the company and it’s currently its largest shareholder.

On Tuesday, the euro tacked on because market participants waited for reports on inflation and growth in the euro zone, while the Japanese yen went down after Japan’s major bank told it would be more flexible in its huge stimulus program…

On Tuesday, the evergreen buck dived because the common currency bounced off and the UK pound managed to ascend to the day’s maximums reacting to reports that British Prime Minister Theresa May is going to take control of Brexit talks…